Mediteranian Bee sighting in the uk

[nightshade]

Good pictures of a fascinating bee,just in time I think it is going to be very wet tomorrow

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by violetcarpenterbee

Finally I have some pictures!!!

Click on the following links to see what I've been on about for the last month or so, lets hope these are clear enough to get confirmation from. I took these this morning 03/03/07

http://www.constella.co.uk/bees/wcb1.jpg

http://www.constella.co.uk/bees/wcb2.jpg

http://www.constella.co.uk/bees/wcb3.jpg

I have got a expect in this area comming today to take a look so will keep you all posted on the findings.

Derick.

Well done Derick- they look clearly like a Xylocopa species to me- it will be interesting to see which species the expert says they are.

[eucera]

Well Done Derick

I can confirm that the pics you have posted are CERTAINLY Xylocopa.

Now to the species determination: Studying Photo #2 (the clearest) at FULL SIZE, I am pretty certain that the preapical antennal segments (ie segments 11 & 12) appear to be reddish brown (or at least pale) rather than black. This would confirm that the species is indeed Xylocopa violacea, and that the specimen you have photographed is a male.

I look forward to Lizzy's report!

Well done, Sir. This is certainly the first ever confirmed breeding of this species in UK, and the first ever over-wintering. The only thing we can't be sure of is how the beasties got to you, and I doubt we will ever know that. One thing is for certain, increasing numbers are making it here under their own steam every year.

I look forward to seeing more pics.

Stuart

[violetcarpenterbee]

Hi
I am very pleased we managed to get some pics. of the bees at last.On sat. afternoon I was visited by Lizzy Peat a bewars commitee member who was highly delighted to see the bees,what a charming person she is and a credit to the organization she represents. I would like to thank Lizzy & Stuart for helping me identify these wonderful bees.as the bees stay out longer and settle on the flowers I will endeaveor to get some more pics.
Best regards
Derick.

[aeshna5]

What a happy ending. You realise Derrick you've made British entomological history with your bees- well done for this story unfolding on WAB.

[matt_xyz]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

What a happy ending. You realise Derrick you've made British entomological history with your bees- well done for this story unfolding on WAB.

yes, well done Derrick and well done to the entomologists who have helped him. I've been following this story with interest. I wonder if this is a species a few more of us might be spotting in the years to come.

Matt

[od0man]

Has Lizzy confirmed that these bees are indeed X. violacea?
Cheers,
Steve.

[eucera]

Lizzy has seen the bees and confirmed that they are Xylocopa. Lizzy was unable to catch one for close scrutiny or get close enough to see the antennae for herself. She will be returning in April for another look, accompanied by another Leicester BWARS member.

However, I have looked long and hard at the pics (number 2 is easily the clearest) and so has Nigel Jones, and we are satisfied that the preapical antennal segments (11-12) are reddish (and therefore paler) than the rest of the antenna. This marks the specimen that is in the pic as a male X. violacea. Both Nigel and I have considerable experience of the species (I have seen thousands, literally), and we are quite happy that this determination is sound.

Stuart

[od0man]

That's brilliant Stuart! In an effort to see what you were talking about I took the liberty of copying that image to my photoshop, cropped and enhanced it - and sure enough even I could see the paler segments.
As others have said, I imagine there will be no way of determining whether they arrived naturally or as 'pallet escapes'. Is there any potential conflict with native bee species or do they have their own unique niche?
Cheers,
Steve.

[od0man]

Hi Derick, have you managed to get any more pics of your bees yet. If so I'd love to see them.
Cheers,
Steve.